The Mizoram Government has launched a border pass system to control cross-border motion between India and Myanmar. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued new guidelines, replacing the former Free Movement Regime (FMR). The state police, Assam Rifles and health officials also took part in this initiative by implementing rules at some entry and exit points of borders. The initiative comes into effect in January 2025 and aims to improve security.

As per the system, the residents of both the countries living within 10 km of the border now mandate a border pass to visit. This system will help to facilitate appropriate travel and trade across the international border, an official said.  

The border pass is valid for up to seven days. It will be issued to both Myanmar and Indian nationals visiting each other's countries based on documentation that they reside within a territorial limit of 10 km on either side of the international border. The security along the border has been significantly tightened to facilitate the implementation of the system.

The Assam Rifles is now in charge of patrolling the region. State police and Assam Rifles have started supervising to prevent illegal crossings. The government has been using advanced technologies like drones and biometric verification techniques to enhance border management.

The pass will be issued by the officer in charge, village officials, or authority and acknowledged by the government. Border passes will be issued to adults only, and a guardian must accompany minors.

Six Mizoram districts, Champai, Siha, Longtlai, Hanthial, Saichual, and Serchhip, share a 510-kilometer border with Myanmar's Chin State. The Champai district police published a public notice on Friday stating that people of both India and Myanmar intending to go into each other's nations would now require a seven-day border permit.

Any inhabitant desiring to enter Myanmar or India via the Jokhawthar and Hnahlan crossing points and obtain a border permit must present a document or certificate demonstrating that they reside within a 10-kilometer radius of the border.

Although Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared in February last year that the FMR will be dissolved, sources say no official notification has been issued.

The guidelines state that police will conduct physical checks to verify the Myanmar nationals' visit as per the details given on the border pass. Legal action will be taken if anyone violates the terms and conditions.